Need suggestions for ladyfriend's 9mm

Recommend a soft-shooting 9mm

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Dollar An Hour

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A female friend who has gotten interested in shooting over the last 6 months wants a 9mm, with a couple criteria in mind.

Background - she started out shooting my GP100 3" with .38 Spl and enjoyed it so much she bought one for herself. Now she shoots a mix of .38 & .357 loads out of her GP. She also picked up a Beretta Neos .22lr for cheap range time, and her CCW is currently a Kel-Tec P32.

So far, she has tried my P99C, but the light-weight-plus-high-bore-axis induced muzzle flip put her off. She tried a Beretta 9000S, and the 8 oz extra weight makes it a mellower shooter than my P99C, so she liked that aspect of it, but isn't sure the 9000S is what she wants either.

So she wants a soft shooter, I'm thinking probably a steel/alloy frame, and enough heft to keep muzzle flip down. She doesn't plan to CCW this one, but more than likely it'll get carried in the car.

This 9mm needs to be pleasant to spend time with at the range (at least compared to my snappy P99C). ;)

Here's a list I've come up with. Which ones would you guys recommend, or recommend against?

- S&W 3913 Ladysmith
- S&W 908S
- CZ-75B Compact
- MRI Compact Baby Eagle
- Beretta PX4 Storm

*It'd be a bonus if this 9mm is easy to strip / clean / reassemble*

*She seems to prefer the idea of a TDA over DAO or manual safety/SA*

My random thoughts on the above choices:

S&W's might be a bummer to field strip. :uhoh:

CZ's grip (specifically trigger reach) may be a bit long, but the Beagle addresses this. :)

I know nothing about the PX4, but the more I look the more I like it.

Open to suggestions, thanks everybody.
 
Dollar,
I tried the S&W 39XX and liked it. I don't recall the exact model. I picked up the CZ at a shop and found it temping but I found that the slide didn't have enough 'meat' to it for me to really get a good grip to pull back.

The S&W 39 series is a single stack 9mm. Has she tried the 59 series which is a double stack?

Do either of you know of a place where you rent one or more of the models and try them out or do you know anyone who owns one that would be willing to let you try it?

I didn't click a box though.

Good luck.

Jim
 
My wife is 5'1" 105lbs. The CZ75 compact is a very good fit for her. About the only things better are in .380 or .22. She also liked the CZ RAMI, but the recoil from such a small gun is a tad stout for her. DA/SA or DAO guns are out for her, she just can't work a long heavy trigger. She liked the Glock until she shot it, grip angle made it very hard for her to hold on to.

--wally.

EDIT: she can't reliably rack the slide on any non-.22 autoloader, and it takes her two fingers (both right and left index fingers on the trigger!) to shoot a Model 10 revolver DA. I load it for her, or rack the slide to lock back on an empty mag, no biggie. For her CHL qualifier she used the Beretta Cheetah .380 (model 86?) with the tip-up barrel, its SA and with the tip-up barrel, she never has to rack the slide. If she's got room in the car and since its not CCW, definitely look at the full size CZ75, softer shooting and two extra rounds with easier to find replacement magazines.
 
I've never had a problem fieldstripping S&W autos. They're not as quick as a Glock, but not difficult by any means. A little bit of time spent reading the instructions and it's as easy as can be. I have several S&W autos and among my favorites are my 3913TSW pre-rail (looks pretty much like a 3913). You've listed by very capable autos. Any would do nicely. Only one I would add would be a Sig 239. Another nice one if you can find one is a Sig 225 (people are snapping these up and nice ones are getting a bit rare and expensive).
 
I would also look at the Browning Hi Power.

Great weapon. Fits smaller hands good capacity and near perfect ergonomics.
 
Is there a range in your area where she can rent a number of different guns to try them out?

It always seemed to me that whether or not a person likes a specific gun is an inherently irrational/unpredictable question. It's like asking, "Should my girlfriend order broccoli or zuchinni with her dinner?" The only real way to know is to try it and find out whether you like it or not.
 
I'm trying to NOT sound frustrated, but.... how many folks would you know that will buy a pair of shoes just because that particular pair was recommended?

I would suggest that the lady get to as many gun shops/gun shows as she can and handle everything she can get her hands on. Some will feel "all right", but a few will feel "just right". Pursue those few. Most manufacturers make differend calibers on the same frame. If she buys the "number one voted handgun since Samuel Colt", and it doesn't feel "right" in her hands, she won't shoot it enough to become proficient with it.....which is (I guess) the the objective.

Just my nickel's worth...... looking is half the fun ;)
 
how many folks would you know that will buy a pair of shoes just because that particular pair was recommended?
Click to expand...

Just to be clear, I'm *not* telling her what to buy. I've got a few in mind that we're going to definitely look at, which I've listed above. I'm just asking for peoples experience with these pistols and any other suggestions we should check out for a soft-shooting 9mm.

Sometimes, the problem is just finding one to get your hands on. A picture of the 3913LS is fine and dandy, but nobody around here stocks S&W pistols other than M&Ps it seems.

I understand BHP is a slim-feeling and soft-shooting 9mm, but it won't work for *her*. She doesn't want to carry C&L in her glovebox since she hasn't trained with SA pistols. Would rather have a 'point & pull' DA 1st shot.
 
Walther P1?

My sister just got one and she really likes it. It's heavy enough to keep the recoil down, and she genuinely enjoys shooting it.
 
Sig 228/229

Holds 13 rounds of 9mm

Low recoil (or at least my wife thinks so)

Really easy to disassemble/ clean.

Sold as trade LE trade ins.
 
If you're in the mood for a serious keep it for life gun, may I suggest the HK P2000. Because it comes with an adjustable grip, anyone should be able to make this gun fit just right. Field strip is as simple as could be. Trigger is smooth. Only trouble, they cost a bit, but you do get an outstanding peice of craftmanship.
 
If she happens to like the BHP except for the SA part, then she should also consider the beretta 92fs. If the HP fits her hand well, then so will the 92. They are nearly identical in size and weight, with the beretta just slightly bigger and heavier, but the difference is absolutely minimal.

I own one of each and to tell the truth, i like the sights on the beretta a little better than on the HP. It shoots better than i do. Recoil is the same nearly non-existent issue with either one. The advantage with the 92 for the GF is the SA/DA aspect, and you have the safety de-cocker, so safer to carry with one in the pipe. Good luck, have fun with whatever she should choose.
 
Okay...

How about the Steyr M9 are they pretty tame shooters?

Here's the shopping list:

-HK P2000
-CZ P-01 (she wants a decocker)
-CZ PCR
-Beretta PX4 (Cougar-based rotating barrel pistol should be tame)
-SW 3913LS
-SW 908S
-Sig P226 (may be too large, but is a mellow shooter)
-Sig P229
-SigPro SP2022 (ditto P226 comment)
-Sig P239
-Glock 19

I figure at least one of these has got to feel right in her hands, be the correct size. They should all feel controllable.

Thanks for the suggestions.
 
92 series!

I've defaulted to a Beretta M9, the mil-spec 92FS.

It carries great in a Coronado American Hobo purse, kick is nonexistent, and I qualified expert with one in 1987 at a time when the only model 92 I'd ever seen was in a magazine before going to the range with that first issue M9. :D

And I have yet to experience a jam or malfunction with this one.

Miao, Cat
 
I like my Ruger P89. I do have a XD9mm Tactical on order. It's been 4 week's now. I have shot the service model & liked it. I'll let you know about the Tactical when it arrive's. Boy it's been a long 4 week's!:banghead:
 
I took my daughter to the range yesterday. I had my Sig 226, CZ75BD and CZ P-01 along in 9mm. We only had a couple hours and she wanted to shoot 9mm instead of .22. She tried all three, and spent the entire time on the P-01. She liked the trigger reach and the grip size the best. I think she also liked the lighter frame. She was shooting pretty good once we worked out a couple of basics like "the gun will not hit you in the head".

I like her attitude, "Dad, will you load the magazines for me so I can just concentrate on shooting?"

Her boyfriend spent his time with my SA Black Stainless and SW1911PD. He liked the .45s real well. I spent most of the time giving some pointers and loading!
 
My wife really likes the XD9 and BHP. She wants a Hi-power this summer, once she gets her permit. She shot a Kimber 9mm (fullsize 1911), thought it was a fine shooter, but the grip is a little too wide front to back for her hand. The XD and BHP fit her pretty well.
 
Glock 19 in 9mm .... is as accurate as S&W 3913, but cheaper .... if she tires of it, seems she might be of that persuasion ... she has gone through a number og guns already ... she might feel better about moving on.
 
My wife shoots my CZ-75D PCR (compact, alloy frame) really well. Have her try a few and see. BTW, ultimately my wife chose a revolver for herself, S&W 642.
 
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